Belle Isle is now Michigan's 102nd state park

Rodney Stokes, special advisor to Gov. Rick Snyder, speaks at the Dec. 10, 2013 "All In For Belle Isle" partnership event on the island. How do we accomplish goals to enhance the world-class park for the residents of Detroit and Michigan? "One word," Stokes said during his speech, "Partnerships,î (The Macomb Daily/David Kenyon/MDNR).

On Jan. 30, the first committee meeting was held and the following was discussed: An overview of the park lease and transition status; The proposed advisory committee draft bylaws; Public commentary; A review of the short-term park improvement plan; An overview of the park security plan; The park rules process review; and a review of the 2005 Belle Isle Master Plan, presented by Hamilton Anderson Associates.”

Ron Olson, Chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation, said Monday the first meeting involved the seven-member advisory committee.

“They adopted some bylaws and the rest of meeting was informational in nature,” Olson said. “They received a briefing by the DNR Law Enforcement Division and Michigan State Police to overview framework of security on the island.

“We went over park rules and plan to utilize the same park rules,” Olson said. “Hamilton Anderson went over the 2005 Master Plan commissioned by the City of Detroit. We went through the lease and elements of it. People met each other and introduced themselves. About 12 to 15 people commented.

“We are off to a good start and have a group who are passionate about the island.”

State officials said the gradual phase-in of the Recreation Passport requirement for island access also began on Feb. 10.

The $11 Recreation Passport offers access to all Michigan state parks and recreation areas, state forest campgrounds and boat launch and trail parking for a typical 12-month period when purchased through the Secretary of State during license plate registration renewal.

The Recreation Passport is directly tied to Michigan drivers’ license plate registration renewal. Throughout Belle Isle’s first year of Recreation Passport requirement, a vehicle can access the island without a Recreation Passport until the owner’s next registration renewal date.

Olson said the Recreation Passport was legislatively established as a much-needed funding source for state park infrastructure improvements since he said no taxpayer dollars go to funding Michigan’s existing state parks.

The Recreation Passport applies only to vehicles - not individuals. Pedestrians, bicyclists and those using public transportation can enter the park for free and will not need the Passport.

In addition, the DNR will work with the city of Detroit to re-establish a public bus route to the island.

Worth noting, as Michigan’s 102nd state park, the city will maintain ownership of Belle Isle while the DNR will assume responsibility for managing the park according to the high standards of its award-winning state park system.

The Michigan Department of Transportation will take responsibility for roads and bridges on Belle Isle. State management of the park will save Detroit an estimated $4 million to $6 million per year, officials said.

The lease provides for an initial 30-year term with two 15-year renewals. In collaboration with the recently established Belle Isle Advisory Committee, chaired by Michele Hodges, president of the Belle Isle Conservancy and co-appointed to the committee by Gov. Rick Snyder and former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, the state will work cooperatively with partners to revitalize and improve the park.

Revitalization efforts are already under way. Last week, several hundred hazardous trees were taken down, trails cleared of brush, a shelter re-roofed and picnic tables refurbished and refuse barrel posts anchored in the ground.

Additional immediate improvement efforts will address low-hanging fruit so the public can have a safe and comfortable park experience, Olsen said.